Louise Gibbs

Louise Gibbs joins the fabulous pianist, singer and recording artist, Wendy Kirkland, this September as featured guest, singing time-honoured standards and lesser-known gems.

As house pianist, Wendy has been hosting this much sought-after monthly gig at Chesterfield Jazz since 2012. Genuine jazz gigs in intimate venues are increasing rarities. So we’re looking forward to making quality music for you. And as there’s improvisation –  we’re always up for a request, a bit of fun and grappling gracefully with the unknown.  The Olde House, Loundsley Green Road, Chesterfield S40 4RN. See you there! https://chesterfieldjazz.wordpress.com/about/

…

What an honor and pleasure to be interviewed by voice gurus, Dr Gillyanne Kayes and Jeremy Fisher, on their This is A Voice podcast (released 19 & 26 June). They wanted to ‘interrogate’ my ideas on authenticity and artistry in singing after hearing my Keynote address for the AOTOS/NATS/EVTA/BVA London conference on 4 June (Advancing Artistry and Individuality within a Positive Pedagogy for Contemporary Commercial Music). So if you want to hear about how you can be (more) authentic to yourself as a singer, and yet authentic to the music tradition/style you sing in, then listen here.  For …

Thrilled to be working with the wonderful voices of the Auckland Gospel Choir, led by Simon Matafai https://www.facebook.com/auckgospelchoir/

…

We’re back to celebrating the music of Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn! And at the Philharmonic in Liverpool – 25 June 2022.  Frank Griffith has specially arranged the original big band scores for his Nonet (a 9-piece band), evoking the warmth and drive of the Ellington-Strayhorn sound and yet keeping it agile. 

Amongst others, we’ll be performing my favorite: Lush Life. For a rare first-hand experience listen to the composer-lyricist, Billy Strayhorn singing and self-accompanying his poignant tale: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7bGtR_ETJE

 “ I doubt if there’s a singer alive today who can interpret the music (of Ellington and Strayhorn) better than Louise …

How we’ve all missed live music! The Ellington-Strayhorn gig at the end of May was my first live public performance for 16 months. How wonderful to be in the same acoustic space as the audience and to feel their encouragement and warmth. If you missed our all-Ellington-Strayhorn programme of old favorites and neglected rarities you can listen here:  https://www.facebook.com/jazzleeds/videos/770458143652504/

A big thank you must go to Steve Crocker and his team at JazzLeeds-Seven Jazz  http://www.sevenleeds.co.uk. They have done a remarkable job keeping the flame of jazz alive (and the prospect of musicians working again) while the pandemic kept us …

Thursday 9 September, 7pm at Seven Arts, Leeds LS7 3PD

Louise (with pianist Martin Longhawn) continues her exploration of  storytelling through jazz and modern standards (sneaking in a little improvisation, of course). You will hear songs by Ellington, Annie Ross, McCoy Tyner, Leonard Bernstein, Stephen Sondheim, Charlie Mingus, Esperanza Spalding, Kurt Elling, Lennon & McCartney, Joni Mitchell, and Sting, amongst others – often with a curious tale to tell. …